There is pride, there is respect, there is even love...and then there is this guy, Felipe
Alvarez.

The shirt is that of Andres Escobar, whose own goal in 1994 cost him a place in history and
ultimately his life. Felipe pays homage in his own special way (or perhaps he's just fighting
annual kit turnover?

Colombian midfielder Sebastian Perez is due to start a trial at Arsenal today. The Atletico Nacional youngster is expected in north London to allow Arsene Wenger to run the rule over him ahead of a potential Â£5m switch. He caught the eye of Gunners scout while playing for Colombia in the Under-20 FIFA World Cup [.

Silly season has bitten the Philadelphia Union hard, as the international transfer window is set
to close in three days. After apparently shrugging off a Sebastien Le Toux transfer to Bolton
Wanderers, the Union are set to lose team captain Faryd Mondragon.

The 40-year-old is on his way back to Colombia, according to Deportivo Cali's Vice
President.

Close call Players at last week's clash between Colombian sides La Equidad and Atletico Nacional
had a lucky escape after a lightning bolt hit the stadium during the game. Several players were
knocked from their feet or were left clutching their heads. And afterwards the understandable
relief is clear to see!

When Andres Escobar was killed not long after scoring a decisive own goal against the United States
in Colombia's disastrous 1994 World Cup showing, Felipe Alvarez was just 9 years old. Now 25 and a
obsessive fan of Atletico Nacional -- Escobar's club team at the time of his death -- Alvarez has
paid tribute to Escobar in a painful and permanent way.

EPL on Fox Soccer gets us a quick rematch of the FA Cup final with Liverpool hosting Chelsea at
3pm. Copa Libertadores on Fox Deportes: Velez Sarsfield - Atletico Nacional at 7pm and Libertad -
Cruz Azul at 9:30pm. All Times Eastern

Colombian side Atletico Nacional sits atop its group in the Copa Libertadores, and the play of
Dorlan Pabon is a big reason why. The 24-year-old Colombian international attacker, who leads the
tournament with six goals, sent a powerful, swerving free kick from more than 40 yards into the
right upper 90 as part of Atletico Nacional's 3-0 victory over Penarol Tuesday night that is worth
at least a few looks.

TweetColombian midfielder Dorlan Pablo sent pulses racing with an amazing 40 yard freekick during
Atletico Nacional's Copa Libertadores group stage win against Penarol. Normally in situations like
this the man standing over the freekick is expected to feed the ball into the so called 'mixer'
where, hopefully, an alert striker will pounce.

Since we didn't have many significant domestic league matches this week, and I have time to kill
on a train from Amsterdam to Brussels, here is the next edition of our Annual Rankings. This time,
we are up to 1989.

1989 was one of those seasons in which the European Cup winner did not manage to finish atop the
World Club Rankings for the year.

Well, the action on television this weekend is mostly Euro 2012 qualifiers which mostly aren't
over the weekend (they are on Friday) and mostly not on television (they are on ESPN3.com).
Otherwise, we have a myriad of South and North American matches on GolTV as well as a handful of
other networks.

We're still a week away from the opening weekend of any of the major international leagues
(though Brazil has been open for action â€“ for the most part â€“ since May). France, Argentina and
the Netherlands open up next week, so the television football action should become more relevant
starting then.

Manchester United is thinking of another championship, while Tottenham has dreams of the UEFA
Champions League.

That is what is on the line today when Spurs take on the Red Devils in the day's top match.
Manchester United is trying to catch Chelsea for first place, while Tottenham is trying to hold off
Manchester City for fourth place and the Champions League berth that goes with it.

Manchester United is thinking of another championship, while Tottenham has dreams of the UEFA
Champions League.

That is what is on the line today when Spurs take on the Red Devils in the day's top match.
Manchester United is trying to catch Chelsea for first place, while Tottenham is trying to hold off
Manchester City for fourth place and the Champions League berth that goes with it.

The race for the English Premier League title, as well as the race for the precious fourth place
Champions League spot still up for graps in the Premier league, will both be on the line when
Tottenham faces Manchester United.

The Red Devils are on Chelsea's heels for the title, while Spurs are trying to hold off
Manchester City for the valuable Champions League spot it currently holds.

The race for the English Premier League title, as well as the race for the precious fourth place
Champions League spot still up for graps in the Premier league, will both be on the line when
Tottenham faces Manchester United.

The Red Devils are on Chelsea's heels for the title, while Spurs are trying to hold off
Manchester City for the valuable Champions League spot it currently holds.

You've waited all summer for European club soccer to come back into full swing and this weekend
is that first weekend when all the top leagues are in action.

Not only are all the leagues you love playing, but there are also juicy match-ups galore, from
Man Utd-Arsenal to AC Milan-Inter Milan to Bayern Munich Wolfsburg to tonight's MLS showdown
between the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA.

You've waited all summer for European club soccer to come back into full swing and this weekend
is that first weekend when all the top leagues are in action.

Not only are all the leagues you love playing, but there are also juicy match-ups galore, from
Man Utd-Arsenal to AC Milan-Inter Milan to Bayern Munich Wolfsburg to tonight's MLS showdown
between the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA.

The Rest

Philadelphia Union captain Faryd Mondragon has stated his intent to retire with the Philadelphia
Union when his playing day are over.

The Colombian goalkeeper answered a follower's question on Twitter about his soccer retirement
plans, saying that he would like to retire with the Union. Mondragon, already a fan favorite,
turned 40-years-old today and is in the first year of a what is thought to be a contract that lasts
at least two years with Philadelphia.

Switching gears from MNT camp in Chicago for a second: Colombia has released their roster for their
friendly against the USA on Oct. 12 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. The Colombians will face Ecuador
four days earlier before matching up with the Americans. Head coach Hernan Dario Gomez' roster of
20 is made up of players spread around the world.